Kenyan President William Ruto on Sunday joined President Yoweri Museveni in Kayoro, Tororo District, for the groundbreaking of the Devki Mega Steel Factory—one of the region’s most ambitious industrial projects aimed at boosting East Africa’s steel production capacity.
Speaking at the event, President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya and Uganda’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation, saying the two countries “undertake to keep working together to facilitate quality and transnational investments that will further Africa’s industrialisation ambition, boost intra-African trade and drive sustainable development.”
Ruto hailed the project as a landmark investment whose benefits will cut across borders. “This transformative investment will not only serve Uganda but also Kenya, and the region,” he said. “Sitting on more than 400 acres of land, the multi-billion facility will cut our import bills, create jobs, build new value chains and expand opportunities.”
The Kenyan leader praised Uganda’s mineral potential, noting that the project will anchor regional industrial growth. “Uganda has the best steel and iron. The Devki Steel Factory will not only supply steel to Uganda, but also to Kenya and the East African region,” he said.
Ruto emphasized that East Africa stands to retain significant value by producing steel locally. “We currently import nearly $850 million worth of steel into Kenya from the rest of the world. We would be very happy to see that money remain within our region.”
President Museveni welcomed the investment as a testament to Uganda’s continued push to add value to its natural resources, strengthen regional integration, and accelerate industrialization.
The Devki Mega Steel Factory—developed by Kenya’s Devki Group—will be one of the largest steel plants in East Africa, positioning Uganda as a key supplier for regional infrastructure and construction needs.
